Sucking is a natural reflex for children. As infants get older it serves many purposes. Sucking on their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may help them fall asleep.

After the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, consult your dentist.

Children should have ceased sucking by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually children stop between the ages of two and four years.

Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, it is often an easier habit to break.

Tips:

• Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they are.
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.
• Your dentist can offer encouragement to a child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
• If the above tips don’t work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
September 15, 2010

Source: http://www.ada.org/2977.aspx?currentTab=1

If your child loses a baby tooth early through decay or injury, the child’s other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant space. When your child’s permanent teeth emerge, there may not be enough room for them. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and difficulties with chewing or speaking.

To prevent that, your dentist can insert a space maintainer to hold the spot left by the lost tooth until the permanent tooth emerges. The space maintainer might be a band or a temporary crown attached to one side of the vacant space. Later, as the permanent tooth emerges, your dentist removes the device.  And presto!  Your child is ready for a lifetime of smiles.

Keep in mind that not every lost tooth requires a space maintainer.  Depending on which tooth and where it is located in the mouth, your child may or may not need a space maintainer.  Talk to your dentist about your individual situation.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave questions or comments below.  For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Sept. 1, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3011.aspx?currentTab=1

Your saliva contains mostly water, but it also contains electrolytes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, proteins, and secretions from your nose and lungs.  You may see TV detectives on CSI or Law and Order collect a suspect’s saliva to get a DNA sample.  That is because cells from the lining of your mouth can also be found in saliva, and these cells contain DNA.  A “cheek swab” is actually the more accurate way of obtaining someone’s DNA.

Saliva also provides clues about what you have been doing.  For instance, it can reveal whether you have been using recreational drugs such as cocaine, barbiturates, and marijuana.  In the future, scientists hope to use saliva samples to detect levels of certain medications in the body.  They also hope to use saliva as a way to detect disease in the future.

Some people believe it is helpful to lick their wounds because they’ve heard that saliva can be a disinfectant.  The truth is that our mouths are full of bacteria, and those bacteria can cause a cut to become infected if you lick it.  So, contrary to the popular expression, please do NOT lick your wounds.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
July 28, 2010

Sources:  http://health.msn.com/health-topics/oral-care/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100259909

There are various types of complete dentures. A conventional full denture is made and placed in the patient’s mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed which may take several months. An immediate complete denture is inserted as soon as the remaining teeth are removed. The dentist takes measurements and makes models of the patient’s jaws during a preliminary visit. With immediate dentures, the denture wearer does not have to be without teeth during the healing period.

Even if you wear full dentures, you still must take good care of your mouth. Brush your gums, tongue and palate every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
July 14, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2996.aspx?currentTab=1

Someone who is receiving radiation therapy of the head and neck area, or has a history of such treatment, may develop certain complications including dry mouth, sensitive lesions in the oral cavity, hypersensitive teeth, rapid tooth decay and difficulty swallowing. Chemotherapy can also have significant effects on the oral cavity.

To help prevent, minimize and manage such problems, your dentist and oncologist can work together—before and during your cancer treatment.

During the treatment period for head and neck cancer, gently brush your teeth twice a day unless your dentist recommends otherwise. Your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse in addition to daily brushing. If you develop a condition called dry mouth, your dentist may recommend a saliva replacement, an artificial saliva that is available over-the-counter at pharmacies. Frequent fluoride applications may also be recommended.

Because any mouth infection may have serious implications, contact your dentist or physician immediately should any occur. Your dentist and physician both want your treatment to be as safe and effective as possible.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 30, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3032.aspx?currentTab=1

Extraction of wisdom teeth is generally recommended when:

• Wisdom teeth only partially erupt. This leaves an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection. Pain, swelling, jaw stiffness and general illness can result.
• There is a chance that poorly aligned wisdom teeth will damage adjacent teeth.
• They are so far back in the mouth that they are difficult to keep clean, resulting in recurring cavities.
• A cyst (fluid-filled sac) forms, destroying surrounding structures such as bone or tooth roots.

If you have wisdom teeth, ask your dentist about their health and positioning .  Your dentist may make a recommendation for removal or send you to an oral surgeon for further evaluation.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 6, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2988.aspx?currentTab=1

What are cold sores?
Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are groups of fluid filled blisters.  Annoying and painful, they can be seen around the lips, sometimes under the nose, or around the chin.

What causes them?
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth.

Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. Recurring cold sores look like multiple tiny fluid-filled blisters  that most commonly appear around the edge of the lips.

For some people, the virus remains inactive or dormant.  For others, cold sores can follow a fever, sunburn, stress, emotional upsets or a break in the skin.

How do you treat them?
Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to  reduce these kinds of viral infections.

Thank you for reading. I encourage you to leave comments or questions below. To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Apr. 27, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2982.aspx?currentTab=1

What exactly are canker sores? They are small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border.  They appear inside the mouth and are not contagious. There may be only one canker sore or several and they can return frequently.

What causes them? Their exact cause is uncertain but some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be involved.

Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore.  Some women may be more prone to them in their premenstrual cycle.  A cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more susceptible.

How do you treat them? Canker sores usually heal on their own after a week or two.  Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouthrinses may provide temporary relief. Stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore. See your dentist if the sores do not heal after two weeks.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  For more information about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
April 22, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2982.aspx?currentTab=1

I recommend the first visit for your child at 2 years of age when children are often mature enough for an initial visit.  Our first visit with kids is focused on fun and building trust and rapport.  A positive first experience goes a long way in helping your child develop a positive long-term relationship with the dental experience.

One way you can prepare your child for a first dental visit is by reading books on the topic.  My 3 year old especially likes “Elmo Visits the Dentist” and “Show Me Your Smile: A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer).

Visit the American Dental Association website at www.ADA.org, type in National Children’s Dental Health, and check out some of the resources available for children, such as “How to Brush,” “How to Floss,” “Visit the Dentist,” “Food Pyramid,” and “The Parts of a Tooth.”

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 11, 2010

On average, babies get their first teeth at around 6 months of age.  They will continue to “teethe” and will have 20 baby teeth by the time they are 3 years old.  Although these teeth are temporary, it is important to take care of them diligently.  Baby teeth will start to fall out around age 6 or 7.  Until then, they are doing a lot of work for your child.

Avoid letting your baby go to sleep with a bottle with milk, formula or juice.  Having the teeth bathe in such liquids for prolonged periods of time can cause tooth decay.  Avoid giving your toddler candy and sticky sugary foods like caramel.  Make sure your child has a good calcium intake for development of strong teeth.

Even before any teeth come in, you should clean your baby’s mouth regularly with a wet washcloth.  This way your baby gets used to having a clean mouth.  By age one they can have their teeth brushed with an actual toothbrush.  Look for “stage 1” toothbrushes that are specially designed for 1 year olds, then move up accordingly as your child grows.  Use a non-fluoridated toothpaste at first.  When your child is old enough to spit out, you can switch to a fluoride toothpaste.  Use only a small amount of toothpaste, no more than pea-sized.

For more on this topic, look out for my blog later this week.  Until then, have a fabulous week!

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  To learn more about my practice, click on the link www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
Feb. 9, 2010